Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1887-08-12


Christianity of our day. 1t is time that the
principles Of peace ruled the nations of the
earth. All national and international difficult
ties might be settled by arbitration Shall
be called; that is, they shall not only be the
children of God, but they shall be publicly
recognized as such. Earthly kingdoms may
make but little of peacemakers; God calls
them his sons. Children of God-sons, that
is, children of mature growth. They are
born of the spirit; they partake of the divine
nature; they are adopted into the divine
family. In heaven they shall wear the crown
as children of the king.
V. 10. Persecuted.-This is the last class
mentioned. These might seem to be excepted
but Christ gives them the special honor.
They need much comfort. Here be declares
that they have it. Even Gods children must
expect persecution 1t is a condition insep-
arabic sometimes from that character The
blessing is not promised to all who suffer- but
only to those who are prosecuted for right
eousness' sake, because of their devotion to
truth.
V. H. The address becomes direct and i'm
mediate There is blessing following re-
proach. acknowledgement you even to
your face Persecute Commit acts of per-
secution. 1t was common to charge the early
Christians with horrible crimes The case of
Nero suggests itself. In order that reward
may be enjoyed, the suffering must be expe-
rienced for Christ's sake. In the charge to
the second person in this verse, we see that
personal application is made to his hearers.
V. IL. Here we strike the lyric and exult-
ant strain Of which we have spoken. Chris
tianity means joy, light, peace, victory. Be
levers have great reward. They may well
rejoice. The prophets were so prosecuted
This is introduced to suggest to the disciples
that their most distinguished predecessors
had similar experiences. We remember the
cases of Elijah, Elisha, jeremiah, Isaiah,
Daniel and many others. The strange COM
mand to rejoice, we thus see by the latter
part of the verse, rests upon a good founda-
ton.
V. 13.-We now come to a new division of
the general subject. We here have the disci-
pies presented to us as related to the world at
large. The apostles, as such, are not men,
toned. If they were chosen, they are not re-
ferred to in the narrative. The reference,
then, is to the body of believers. Nothing
is more useful than sun and salt" was a COM
mon proverb in Christ's day As salt seasons
the insipid and preserves from corruption, so
Christians We're to be to the world. But if
the salt.-Of course then it will become in
sipid, tasteless, worthless Travellers tell us
that such salt may be seen in the streets of
eastern cities. Put upon the soil, 1t would
lnJure 1T. 1t has no other use than to be
trodden under foot. If the very substance
which gives saltness loses its saltness, there is
no other source from which that quality can
be derived. So if Christs disciples apostatize,
they lose the power to bless others or to re-
ceive blessing.
VS.. 14-16.-As Christ is the light of the
world, so are believers i'll their measure The
language which he applies to himself he APP
plies also to them. Christ's light shines
through them; they represent him. This
side heaven there is nothing so like Christ
himself as a true believer. Candle-"Any
movable artificial light, whether candle,
lamp or lantern" Bushel.-The bushel, the
modius. This is a household utensil, ia
miliar to every householder, to measure
grain. 1t held about peck. The point of
comparison here is not as to its size. but as to
its power to conceal. Candlestick Rather
lamp stand. The light under the bushel is
not light Nothing is a light but that
which enlghtens. A stream which does not
flow is not a stream. A fire which does not
burn is not fire Flowing and burning are
inherent attributes Of stream and fire.
POINTS TO BE REMEMBERED
l. Christs subjects here should sit at his
feet; and "when Jesus opens his mouth, let
us open our heart"
2. Nothing but religion can make men
truly happy. Lowliness is loftiness good
ness is greatness. All things work together
for good for Gods people.
9. Christians are, under God to enlighten,
purify and redeem the world. They must
let their light shine; thus they glorify God
Sunday School World.